posted 13 Nov 2007 in Volume 10 Issue 6

Review

South African Airways

By Anna Head, international supplements director

COMPETITION IS rife between airlines. No more so than on the London-South Africa routes. With BA, Virgin and South African Airways all flying direct to Johannesburg and Cape Town daily and with prices more or less on a par, choice is usually dependent on quality of service.
Good service starts pre-takeoff. However easy the flight, too often people remember long check-in queues and insufficient, unhelpful staff. Even though South African Airways (SAA) can’t remedy passport-control queues, at least travelling with SAA one starts off in better humour having been checked-in by efficient and charming staff. Its business lounges, which if slightly over-crowded, are well managed and close to the gate. Premium also offers a chauffeur-driven service, particularly relevant if flying to Johannesburg.
Comfortable in-flight service is also important. SAA is investing in its Gold Standard London route by introducing a new product, to be completed by the end of November 2007. Out with the ‘old’ 747-400s and in with the new Airbus A340-600 and the A340-300e. The new aircraft offers a choice of two cabins; economy and premium. Economy is less cramped with a better 33-34-inch pitch. First and business class are now combined in one exclusive premium class, at a business fare. Seats are proper flat beds at 180-degrees, wider than average with a side-seat divider for privacy, and have justifiably won acclaim. The seat formation is 2-2-2, whereas with BA it’s 2-4-2. There is a varied choice of films on offer on a sensibly wide personal video screen.
The food is well presented and appetising and the wines more than acceptable. Both the flights I took were choc-o-bloc. This could have been something to do with the good-natured rugby crowd heading for Paris, but even then staff still managed a smile. The customary airline ‘welcome on board’ is normally said through gritted teeth. But SAA really look like it’s meant!
Another big plus worth considering is that in addition to its South African routes, SAA offers 20 domestic routes as well as flights onto the rest of southern Africa. Flying is about getting from A to B safely and on time, but it does make an appreciable difference if the journey is hassle free and comfortable. SAA wins hands down on all counts.